Chapter 1290: Chapter 1290: Married or Not

The Zhao family’s banquet was naturally busy with servants preparing for it. It was the 80th birthday of the Zhao family’s patriarch, which forced Zhao Feipeng and his brothers to gather together. Normally, the family would never be so fully assembled.

Jian Tao was chatting with Ye Fan, though there wasn’t much to talk about. To avoid any slip-ups, Jian Tao stayed close to Ye Fan, lest Zhao Zhongtian come over asking questions. If that happened, it could be hard to cover things up.

Jian Tao was using Ye Fan to dodge Zhao Zhongtian’s inquiries.

Zhao Gui and Chen Yifei didn’t deliberately seek out Ye Fan either, also opting to avoid him to prevent feeling awkward and inferior. This wouldn’t be helpful and would instead make them uncomfortable, fearing that Ye Fan would be displeased.

Taking everything into consideration, Zhao Gui and Chen Yifei could only busy themselves, attending to the servants preparing the meal and getting the wine ready.

Zhao Feipeng and Zhao Zhongtian accompanied the patriarch, Zhao Jinbao, who had laid the foundation for the Zhao family’s astounding wealth and status. He was already half-buried with dementia and brain cancer, unable to recognize people anymore.

The doctor had already diagnosed that Zhao Jinbao wouldn’t live more than three months. After this 80th birthday celebration, he was a step closer to death.

The meal was served, and the wine was opened.

Zhao Feipeng pushed Zhao Jinbao, seated in a wheelchair, in front of everyone. Once Zhao Jinbao was settled in the place of honor, Zhao Feipeng, his brothers, and others stood up and positioned themselves on both sides.

Next came the birthday wishes, starting with Zhao Feipeng, followed by Zhao Zhongtian.

Zhao Jinbao listened to the birthday wishes with little expression, his demeanor somewhat dazed, but the kindness in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Good, good, good!" Zhao Jinbao repeated with a smile. The word "good" conveyed many meanings.

Once Zhao Feipeng and his brother finished their birthday speeches, there was no need for others to speak. To prevent Zhao Jinbao from overthinking, they kept it simple.

As long as Zhao Jinbao was happy, nothing else mattered. To avoid making him strain his brain, saying less was better.

Before Zhao Feipeng and his brother could invite everyone to sit down, the old man looked around and focused on the unfamiliar Chen Yifei, smiling as he asked, "Whose daughter is this?"

"This is Zhao Gui’s fiancée," Zhao Zhongtian quickly explained.

"Come, come, daughter, step up and let me take a look," the patriarch kindly invited Chen Yifei.

Receiving a signal from Zhao Zhongtian, Chen Yifei quickly knelt in front of the patriarch, softly saying, "This young girl greets the patriarch, wishing you blessings as vast as the sea and a longevity like the mountains."

"Good, good, good!" He shouted "good" three times, his wrinkles deepening with the smile. "Such a fine child. Are you married?"

Chen Yifei didn’t know how to respond, glancing at Zhao Zhongtian and Zhao Gui for help.

Zhao Zhongtian had just said she was Zhao Gui’s fiancée, but the patriarch’s thoughts were unclear. No matter how she answered, it seemed wrong, so she sought rescue.

Zhao Gui stepped up and knelt in front of his grandfather, saying, "Grandfather, yes, we’re married. She’s married to me."

At this moment, whatever one said, as long as it pleased the patriarch, it was fine.

"Married, good, married, good." The patriarch smiled, patting Zhao Gui’s head. "You must be Little Gui, you’ve grown so much."

"Grandfather, you still remember me," Zhao Gui said with a heartache.

"Nonsense, I can still remember my own grandsons," the patriarch said. He seemed lucid for a moment, but the next moment he was confused and asked, "Little Gui, are you married?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Zhao Gui’s eyes welled up, and his nose tingled, overwhelmed by his emotions.

Chen Yifei felt extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed, maintaining her position without moving.

Zhao Gui and Chen Yifei didn’t know how to respond or what to say.

Zhao Zhongtian stepped forward, letting Zhao Gui and Chen Yifei leave. He smiled and said, "Dad, they are your grandson and granddaughter-in-law. They’re married, all married. You can rest easy now, no need to worry."

"Married, good, married, good," the patriarch said with a blank smile, looking at Zhao Zhongtian and asking, "Who are you? Are you married?"

Zhao Zhongtian nearly choked on his emotions. His son was so grown, how could he not be married?

Looking at the patriarch, he felt the pain deeply, thinking quietly, "Father, can’t you stay clear-headed for a while longer? You’ve forgotten even your own son."

"Dad, I’m your son, remember? Didn’t you just remember clearly?" Zhao Zhongtian said, feeling wronged. "Your grandson is so grown. Your son, I, have long been married."

"Nonsense, who said I don’t remember? I’m not so confused to forget my own son. Do you really think I’m senile?" the patriarch said, raising his voice.

"You’re not senile, not at all," Zhao Zhongtian quickly said.

Zhao Feipeng couldn’t bear it anymore. He couldn’t let the patriarch get excited or think too much, not with the meal still ahead. If the patriarch fainted, it wouldn’t be good.

The patriarch often fell unconscious and fainted now and then. Today was his 80th birthday, and he had taken medicine to maintain his current state, though he wasn’t that clear-headed.

Seeing him like this, the whole family was overwhelmed with sadness, broken-hearted.

Time spares no one, and illness is even more ruthless.

The patriarch’s situation left Zhao Feipeng and Zhao Zhongtian unsure, and inevitably saddened them.

Zhao Zhongtian, though determined to use ruthless means to gain control of the Zhao family, felt sorrow looking at the patriarch’s current state.

"Dad, don’t overthink or worry. Now that you have a full house of children and grandchildren, just enjoy a meal with your descendants. Today is your big birthday; you shouldn’t be troubled with random thoughts," Zhao Feipeng said, squatting before the patriarch, holding his hand.

"That rascal, gambling away, making me worry sick, and troubling your eldest brother too," the patriarch struggled his hand out of Zhao Feipeng’s grasp, then smacked him on the head.

The patriarch mistook Zhao Feipeng for Zhao Zhongtian.

Getting slapped, Zhao Feipeng felt even sadder, saying, "Dad, I’m Feipeng, I’m your eldest brother’s big brother. The one you meant to hit is over there."

Saying this, Zhao Feipeng pointed at Zhao Zhongtian.

Zhao Zhongtian leaned his head forward, waiting to be hit.

But the patriarch’s hand didn’t land on him. Instead, another smack hit Zhao Feipeng on the head.

"Being the younger brother, could you get any worse, accusing your elder brother at a time like this," the patriarch said, reproaching Zhao Feipeng in anger.

"Dad, you’ve forgotten even me," Zhao Feipeng said with sadness.

"Nonsense, I couldn’t forget my own son. Do you think I’m senile?" said the patriarch to Zhao Feipeng, "Feipeng, are you married?"